Police: Homeless woman smashed window to escape cold

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia authorities say a homeless woman threw a piece of concrete through a window at the General Assembly Building in an apparent attempt to get arrested so she could escape the cold.

Capitol Police said in a news release Tuesday that 51-year-old Sherri Finley has been charged with felony vandalism and assault after the incident Thursday night. No one was injured. Finley is listed on the police report as being homeless.

Capt. Randy Howard of the Capitol Police says it appears Finley was trying to get arrested to have somewhere to stay on the cold night. Howard says Finley is also charged with assault after she punched a Virginia Commonwealth University student just before she threw the concrete. The student wasn't seriously injured.

An attorney listed in court records did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment.